Minneapolis Park Watch

5:00pm Commissioners present ...Mason, Olson, Dziedzic, Young, Erwin, Hauser, Berry Graves, Fine ( 5:10) and Kummer (6:10)

Admin and Finance is called to order

7.1 Increase contract for Mill Ruins Park by $42,376. Rachel R of the planning staff explains that to meet conditions placed on the catwalk portion of the project by MDOT there was a substantial increase in cost not included in the original scope but still within the "contingency" budget. passes

7.2 Fulton Neighborhood puts in $10,000 of NRP money for trees. passes

7.3 Committee approves 2006 levy request for $38,064,605. This amount is what will be requested of the Board of Estimation and Taxation and is the amount the Mayor budgeted for in his plan. passes

Study Report Items

Capital Improvement Program

Director of Planning Judd Reitkerk

The MPRB submitted a request to CLIC ( the city's Capital Long range Improvement Committee) in May for 2006-2010 ( $11.1 million over 10 years) Director Reitkerk showed some of the power-point presentation he used then ( he mentioned something about explaining how the MPRB's restructuring changed the planning and I was hoping we would get the explanation as well... no luck) including some past projects with before and after pictures etc... Director Reitkerk then outlined some of the projects for 2006-2010 including who would get roofs, parking lot repairs, HVAC work ( the glamour stuff of capital improvement ) including some field work at Bryn Mawr, Northeast and Bossen fields

He then showed the MPRB's priorities for 2006 which included Astroturf at Parade Stadium ($1 million) finishing the interior at Webber Park ($250,000) rehabbing the Southside Service Center, HVAC, Roofs etc... for a total of $2,135,000 ( 860,000 from the capital levy and 1,275,000 in net debt bonds). CLIC recommended cutting the Southside service center and tennis court resurfacing but added to field improvements for a total of $1,830,000 and the Mayor also cut out the Southside Service Center but added to Tennis courts and Parade for a total of $2,030,000. ( The Mayor also had $50,000 per year in 2007-2009 for skate-parks)

Commissioner Mason asks if the $300,000 for the Southside Service Center is for renovating the old Park Police area. ...YES and some other stuff. She asks for a ballpark figure and off it goes to staff...

Commissioner Berry Graves asks if Webber Park includes the pool locker rooms. ....NO this is the rec building only She asks if the pool will ever be renovated and is it on the schedule ..NO

Director Reitkerk says they are focusing on the basics at the rec centers ( roofs, HVAC etc...)

President Olson then mentions that they had asked CLIC 3 years ago for money for the Webber Pool

Director Reitkerk points out that this is when the city made big cuts in capital spending

Commissioner Young states she is not happy that East Phillips is no where on the list and asks if the staff is still considering alternatives in HVAC planning etc...

Mayor's Proposed 2006 Budget

GM for Admin Don Siggelkow

The MPRB is asking for the levy amount the Mayor proposed which will be up $1,671,000 from 2005

highlights...

1. $300,000 for one time tree initiatives 2. Deferred increase in city management fee (stays at $824,000 rather than jumping to $1,000,000) 3. Storm-water fees... still unresolved 4. MPRB will keep at 11.79% of LGA received from the state ( $924,000 up from 2005) 5. Health Insurance up 19% and Dental up 4% in 2006 ( up about $500,000)

Commissioner Mason asks about the storm water fees.... prior to split MPRB bill about $300,000 annually in Jan of 2005 was $520,000 but now down a bit

Commissioner Olson asks if the MPRB could just bill the city for the storm-water they handle through the lakes etc.. Commissioner Young chimes in to agree and also to thank Commissioner Erwin for his efforts with the tree initiative.

Some discussion about the tactics with the storm-water fees ensues with GM for Operations Mike Schmidt venturing that the MPRB is part of the solution not the problem and that it would have been better if the MPRB had been consulted as the fee schedule was under discussion at the City and that the 2 Environmental Departments should probably work it out.

Admin and Finance adjourned 5:50 pm.

5:50 pm Regular Meeting Called to order...

Commissioner Fine would like to alter the agenda to move New Business forward and put staff reports after new business Commissioner Young would like to add "heat bonuses" to New Business

passes ( OK.... Don't they have to go thru the tedious drama of following their new rules and vote to suspend the rules in order to change the agenda ??? Consistency would be nice here)

Commissioner Mason asks how they are to vote to "approve" the minutes, what minutes and if they are approving the "final agenda" as minutes and what would be the cost to staff to do transcription. She would also like the vote where she abstained to include the reason as being because her daughter-in-law is a member of the firm to which the contract pertains. She also wonders if there is a file somewhere the public can access to obtain the Superintendent and Chief of Park Police reports that the commissioners receive? Yes , there is a file.

Commissioner Young asks that the typo of Scott Vreeland's name be corrected

Commissioner Erwin asks that all votes be recorded and GM Siggelkow states that roll call would be required on all votes.

Minutes ( or whatever) are approved.

Consent items are passed with little discussion.

6:00 OPEN TIME

John Berthiaume ( on behalf of his wife Joan Berthiaume and the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society )

He issues and invitation to the commissioners, staff and citizens of Minneapolis .... ( from the postcard given out )

"You are Welcome at the Wirth House The Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society and the East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association invite you for a free tour of the

Theodore Wirth Home and Administration Building National Historic Site

Located in Lyndale Farmstead Park 3954 Bryant AV S

Theodore Wirth's Home and Offices will be open on Saturday August 6, 2005 from Noon to 4:00pm The last public tour begins at 3:15 pm"

There will also be a short program beginning at noon and free refreshments

OPEN TIME ENDS

4.1 from planning That the St. Anthony Parkway Master Plan be restarted with a Citizen's Advisory Committee

Commissioner Dziedzic offers and amendment which is included and reads....

In the Ulysses to Stinson Boulevard portion of the trail project which currently has no trail and has limited space, the committee will review all options to integrate St. Anthony Parkway with the Regional Park System. These options include but are not limited to a combined trail, an alternative trail route, a redesigned parkway and any other design which will preserve the residential character of the Ulysses ST to Stinson Boulevard area and minimize the impact of the trail ON the immediate neighborhood. The committee should also consider the precedence setting effect the trail design will have on other Eastside Neighborhoods with similar through which the completed Grand Rounds will be routed. passes

8.1 Approval of the Reciprocal Agreement between the MPRB and the U of M for the boathouse.

Commissioner Erwin states he will be abstaining from voting as he is an employee of the U of M but adds that this is the correct procedure to follow. Do the plan, hold a Citizens Advisory Committee and after the plan is approved issue the reciprocal agreement.

Commissioner Young is not fond of voting for agreements with BLANKS in them ( in this case for dates regarding passage and construction)

Roll Call vote... Erwin Abstains, Kummer not present, all others AYE ... passes

New Business

Commissioner Fine asks that the Board acknowledge the passing of Frederick Brown Wells with a moment of silence. Mr. Wells generously donated $4,000,000 to the Neiman Complex for the Tennis Center and spent the years since creating an endowment to keep the center funded ( including asking that his memorials be donated to the center). A moment of silence is observed.

Commissioner Young presents her idea for Heat Bonuses. With the record number of days over 90 degrees and the high humidity the MPRB employees have been getting the brunt of summer with exposure to the weather and for the lifeguards etc... increasingly larger crowds at the pools and beaches. She suggests a motion that becomes a staff direction that ends up being a couple of questions...1) What would it cost to give the staff some sort of heat bonus? and 2) Would it be possible to do some sort of thank you event and what would that cost?

Next the MPRB passes resolution 2005-111 Recognizing the contributions of Todd Pufahl to the MPRB and its members of city employees' local no.363 Mr. Pufahl has apparently moved on in the union to the state level.

Reports of Officers

Paul Hokeness ( Lakes District Manager )

He relates the story of how he and staff found a way to paint the garbage bins on site so they can do an entire park at one time Gives kudos for the dedication of Armatage's new skate-park and mentions the mayor's attempts at skateboarding mentions the concerts and movies in Loring Park as well happenings at various parks throughout the city coming in August ( www.minneapolisparks.org )

Sara Ackman (sp) filling in for Jon Oyanagi (River District Manager)

Mentions the 2900 tickets Commissioner Dziedzic passed on from the folks at Ameriquest Mortgage for Twins games this week for the kids at the parks and rec centers Talks about the Cooperative at Folwell/Farview and North Commons creating a day camp ( 30-80 kids participating) and are hoping to continue it for after-school this fall. Gives a PEACE GAMES update and mentions upcoming ice cream socials in the parks 8/10 at Webber and 8/11 at Audubon both are from 6-8pm

Eileen Kilpatrick ( Minnehaha District Manager)

Mentions how well the Festival of Neighborhoods went during the Aquatenniel Mentions upcoming events in the parks (Powderhorn Art Fair is this weekend ) Describes how her district is handling some events that happen during the usual end of summer 2 week shutdown by flexing some schedules Working to inform the public about the new scooter laws that have gone into effect by offering a scooter school

Recessed to the Planning committee at 6:32

Planning Committee 6:32 pm

4.1 Reciprocal Agreement with DeLaSalle

Commissioner Hauser makes a motion for amendments to be included in the agreement

1) That the agreement include language to abide by city labor requirements 2) That a formal public hearing is held on August 17th ( when this will be before the full board) 3) That a minimum of 150 hours of gym time and 350 hours of field time be list in the agreement

[Liz's comment... Here is where I missed some stuff. There was a question of it being seconded by someone who made an original motion or something but a vote was never taken so I have no idea if these were added or if they were accepted as friendly amendments or what. Anybody catch this at home????]

There is some disagreement between Commissioner Erwin and Commissioner Hauser over a Citizen's Advisory Committee to which Commissioner Hauser is adamant will take place after the vote on the Agreement

Commissioner Erwin makes a statement that both sides have issues and that there should have been a Citizen's Advisory Committee and a Plan before a Reciprocal Use Agreement was ever discussed, but he feels that the MPRB is bound by the 1983 agreement to build a field. He will be voting NO.

Commissioner Young asks for clarification of a few items in the agreement from GM Siggelkow and then makes the following statement (graciously provided in its entirety)

August 3, 2005 10 Reasons why I am voting "NO" on the Reciprocal Agreement today:

10. The people living on the island, though mighty privileged ( and so lucky, I might add), do not own the land under their homes, the MPRB does. Why is DeLaSalle, an institution, being treated with such privilege?

DeLaSalle is a private school for those who can afford the tuition ( along with scholarship kids). Not much different than the diversity in our public schools or other private and charter schools throughout the City. It's boosters are asking for the privilege of breaking the covenant between the board and the citizens set out in 1983.

9. In a letter from Roger Martin ( architect and urban planner) - who has worked on planning many a park project including Nicollet Island:

"I found that working with the Schools' administration and community residents in the process of master planning the Island to come to reasonable compromise resulted in a good plan and I hope that this process can be continued in this manner."

Commissioner Erwin has literally promised me, he can negotiate a compromise if we could just get all the parties together. Something I and Commissioner Berry Graves have been asking to have happen for months. I honestly believe is could happen if we would take the time to do this- and do it right.

8. I have recently learned of the need for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet necessary for redevelopment projects within Historic Preservation Districts. I think this will show us some of the impacts this development might have on the Island as a whole. There are also the hurdles of the Met Council, the City Planning Commission and the City Council vacating Grove Street, positive actions from many agencies-almost too many to name.

7. I am very concerned about perceived perceptions regarding some Commissioner's conflict of interest in the issue. May I note that Commissioner Erwin who has worked hard on building our relationship and mutual services with the University has still stepped aside when it is time for an actual vote.

6. I am concerned about the mixed messages of whether this votes takes 5 or 6 votes. I know that there are two people in the audience who have not missed a Board meeting waiting to see if we change the rules depending on the situation. They stand waiting for us to make a mistake. This is a mistake.

5. I am concerned about a lawsuit from either party. The costs could certainly be astronomical in our current state of very little money for the maintenance and operations of our current needs and services.

4. I believe that we paid outside counsel to give us an answer that our own counsel would not have given. The outside counsel did not even answer some of the deeper questions of this debate. Even though our own counsel is a DeLaSalle graduate he has continued to give us objective ( in defense of the Park Board) opinions of what is needed for this case.

3. It is my deep concern about the relationship stated in the Constitution about the separation of Church and State. I, for one, still believe that principle stands even if not carried out by many in our society today.

2. I have not seen a plan.

1. And, very embarrassingly, I must say, " Our process has been lousy- to say the least.

Commissioner Mason then states she will be voting NO if this comes before the full board on the 17th.

Commissioner Hauser poses a couple of questions one being is this unprecedented ?

Director of Planning Reitkerk mentions many other agreements that the MPRB has through out the city with public entities such as the schools and the city. and No the leases the Islander's have are with the MCDA ( now CPED) who has a lease with the MPRB for the entire parcel where the homes are ( notice again a public entity)

Commissioner Mason feels the agreement is poor and leaves them vulnerable to lawsuits like at the Fort ( 201 building out at the Neiman Complex )

Commissioner Fine then gives his statement and mentions that unlike what is laid out in the 1983 agreement DeLaSalle has offered to share, build and maintain the field They are being generous to the MPRB and the citizens of Minneapolis. He also comes up with the only public/private use agreement the MPRB has so far and it is at the Sculpture Gardens at the Walker ( the one that since they are losing parking revenue at Parade with the Guthrie move they will have a financial problem in maintaining).

Roll Call vote is taken ....

FOR.. FINE, DZIEDZIC, HAUSER AGAINST.. YOUNG and ERWIN

Commissioner Erwin then makes a motion for the staff to begin the steps necessary to start a Citizen's Advisory Committee on DeLaSalle as soon as possible after Sept. 1st and to meet at least 3 times during the month and a half thereafter.

The staff recommends waiting until after the August 17th Vote where 6 votes will be needed for the Agreement to pass.

There is more discussion in which Commissioner Erwin says that DeLaSalle is ready to proceed with a CAC and Commissioner Dziedzic asks Brother Michael Collins to confirm this which starts some major rumblings in the room to which brother Michael gives a quick yes and things move on..

The motion passes

Planning Committee Adjourns at 7:07

Regular meeting reconvenes and on to Petitions and Communications

Commissioner Dziedzic.... Phat Summer end of year BBQ at the Lupient Water-park after hours Commissioner Mason... attended Bike Advisory Committee meeting lots of dollars from Feds coming for bike trails Thanks Sabo and Oberstar Commissioner Young... lots of letters Commissioner Kummer ... lots of "fix it messages" from the citizens during the Festival of Neighborhoods Commissioner Berry Graves... Lots of letters Commissioner Hauser... lots of letters and a mention of the lack of pocket parks in downtown from a SWJournal article Commissioner Young again thanks staff for working so well in the HEAT and motions to Adjourn

Adjourned 7:20 pm

Posted by Liz Wielinski on Fri, 08/05/2005 - 3:09pm. | Permalink | Login to post comments